Yes you can learn on your own..It will be more expensive and here is where a simulator might really help...If you can even get your self out to a club (you dont have to join) once or twice and talk to the guys ,maybe fly one of their trainers , see what happens , you might have fun..It cant hurt...And might really help..Then fly at home ..The foamys are great because they glue back together fairly easy usually and you arent out a lot when they dont...I tried at first on my own and bust up a plane then got a pointer or two and bust up some more but I kept at it and I still smack em up every now and then...We all do... We just dont like to see it happen and we try to help each other prevent it from happening...You might not like our advice but it is given with the best of intentions...We would like to help you learn to fly as cheaply as possible without injuring yourself or others .. We have found that often when somebody tries on their own they get discouraged and quit after costing themselves a few hundred dollars..We are disapointed that they dont get to find out how wonderfull this hobby can be...So yes by all means if you have the space ,and it take more than you might think ,use it but if you can take a run out to a field where they are flying and talk to the guys...If they are anything like the guys in our club you will find a bunch of friendy airplane enthuiasts ..They might not be allowing new members...But you will get an idea of what kind of space you need and what kind of plane to get etc...And maybe they will have a trainer all set up and you will get a chance to fly on a trainer cord...Just dont give up....Good luck